Methods of Minimizing Internal Dose

DOE-HDBK-1106-97

Radiological Contamination Control Training

for Laboratory Research

Instructor's Guide

Instructor's Notes

5.0 Methods of Minimizing Internal Dose

When handling radioactive animals or applying

radionuclides to animals, it is required that the handler wear

gloves that can be thrown away when contaminated. This

will prevent the transfer of radionuclides from hand to

mouth and is equally important when handling excreta or

animal parts that may be radioactive.

Procedures for handling of the animal should be

implemented to reduce the possibility of animal bites. This

would include such activities as sedation of the animal in

some procedures and special handling techniques for

specific animals in other procedures. Both the researcher

and the animal handler should be trained in these

procedures.

6.0 Methods of Minimizing Cross Contamination

Cross contamination may cause the radioactive materials

used in one experiment to turn up unexpectedly in the

results of another. Since some experiments utilize only

minute amounts of radionuclides while others use large

amounts, it is easy to visualize the confusion when large

amounts of unknown radionuclides appear suddenly in a

low-level experiment.

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